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S. R. LAWSHE. HOLDER FOR LIGHTNING RODS. .Y No. 314,385. Patented Mar. 24, 1885.

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UNITED STATES SPENCER It. LA'WSHE, OE GREENOASTLE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO THEO- DORE H. PATEE, OE SAME ILAOE.

PATENT OFFICE.

HOLDER FOR LIGHTNING-RODS.

SPECIFICATIONl forming part of Letters Patent No. 314,385, dated March 24, 1885.

Application llled May 8l 1884. (No model To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SPENCER It. Lawsi-TE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Greencastle, Indiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Holders for Lightning-Rods, the., of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in holders for conductors, adapted particularly for use with lightning-rods, but applicable to all uses where a conductor is supported separately or passed through and supported by a non-conductor.

The object of the invention is to produce a holder for the rod or whatever non-conducting material may be employed which will retain the same in position in such a manner that it cannot be displaced by strong winds or by violent agitation of the conductor, but which may be readily detached by hand.

The invention consists ot' a holder in which the inclosing portion is composed of two arms, one or both of which are movable,where by it may be adjusted to firmly encircle the rod or insulator and retain it in place.

In order that those skilled in the art to which my invention appertains may know how to make and use the same, I will now proceed to describe it in connection with a lightning-rod, referring by letter te the accompanying` drawings, in which- Figure l represents a perspective view of the invention, Eig. 2, 4a plan View; and Fig. 3 a front elevation illustrating a convenient means of locking-the outer ends of the arms together.

ln these drawings, A represents the body or base of the holder, towhich the securingarms are secured. This base is provided with any of the well-known devices for securing it in position. The preferred forms are those shown in the drawings. That shown in Fig. l is a perforated. projection adapted to receive a standard fixed in the wall, and in Fig. 2 an ordinary screw-threaded projection is shown.

B B are the arms which encircle the rod. Either one or both of these arms are pivoted to the plate A, so that they may be freely turned to bring their outer ends apart to permit the insertion of the rod. When both arms are pivoted, I preferably cast them with interlocking cogs on their inner ends, so that the turning of' one will effect the turning of the other to a corresponding position.

Any convenient means may be used 'to secure the outer ends of the arms together; but I prefer a joint which is easily coupled or uncoupled to facilitate the placing of the rod in position or the substitution of a perfect insulator for an injured one. In the drawings I have illustrated a convenient means of effecting this union. In this form the arms are locked by simply exercising enough strength to strain the arms torsionally sufficiently to allow the ends to pass each other. The ends are provided with notches situated an equal distance from the ends of each, and the arms from the notches outwardly are beveled, one on its upper and the other on its lower face. Thus it will be seen that the natural elastieity of the metal is utilized to retain the arms in a locked position after they have been thus placed. One of the ends from the notch out is preferably slightly curved to form a better surface for its fellow to slide upon.

Although I have particularly described this mode ofjoining the ends, I ot course consider any of the well-known means of securing a like result within the scope of my invention.

IIavingthus described my invention, whatI claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A holder forlightning-rods or insulators, composed of a body, A, and two pivoted arms provided on their inner ends with interlocking cogs, whereby the motion of one arm is communicated to the other, substantially as described.

2. A holder for lightning-rods, &c., composed of a body portieri, A, having two pivoted fingers secured thereto and adapted to inclose the said lightning-rod, substantially as described.

A lightning-rod holder composed of the body A, provided with two metal inclosing fingers, one or both of which fingers are movable, the outer ends of' the said fingers being notched and adapted to interlock, substantially as described.

In testimony whereofl have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

SPENCER R. LAWSHE.

Vitnesses:

JAMES W. COLE, DoEsEY L. ANDERSON.

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